Page 7 of Their Sweet Haven
“You accidentally became a health commissioner?’
Elias shakes his head. “I didn’t bumble into it like you’re making it sound.”
“How on earth do you get a job without seeking it? Wanting something is, like, step one.”
“My father got someone to appoint me. I had some business degrees from esteemed colleges, so no one really looked too closely at it. Dad thought it was important that I start building up my public service record, and make it look like I’m a dutiful bureaucrat who would be a shoe-in for higher offices.”
Dots start to connect in my head. Someone in his position comes from money. “So... your Dad wants you to be a politician? And I’m guessing you’re not thrilled about that?”
He smirks. “What makes you think that? How I completely lack any enthusiasm in my voice when talking about it? How I keep dodging questions?”
“Dodging questions is a very politician thing to do, you know.”
“Well I’m not going to dodge them with you, Hannah. I don’t want it. I don’t want any of it.”
I have to say Elias does have the looks for it. He’s handsome as all hell, has nicely parted brown hair, and walks with utmost confidence. He wears that suit well, and I have to say I’m very much interested in seeing more of him. Everything so far has told me I would not be disappointed by it.
“Not wanting to deal with that sort of thing is something I can understand. It’s all complicated. Backstabby. Being on edge about everything you do.”
He nods. “My Dad wants to live vicariously through me. Do everything, he couldn’t. I’ve told him I dislike it, but it doesn't seem to dissuade him.”
“You’re an adult, aren’t you?” I say, leaning into him. “Don’t tell me I’m on a date with the most mature looking seventeen-year-old boy on the planet.”
He sips his wine. “If I was, I think I’d have to write this place up for serving alcohol to underage kids.”
“Then you’re an adult. Do what you want. Take control of your own life, or someone will take control of it for you.”
Usually, indecisiveness in a guy isn’t exactly something that attracts me. But there’s a genuineness to Elias that sticks with me. I can understand the pressures of family.
“The question I face is what do I want to do instead?”
“Well, what did you want to do growing up? Beyond, I don’t know, being an astronaut.”
“The stars weren’t what I dreamed about, thankfully. I’m not too sure, honestly. Something simpler. Something away from the loudness and chaos of the city.”
I run my finger around the edge of the wine glass. “If only there were a small town nearby. Where people lived simpler lives.”
He laughs. “That is something I’ll check out for sure. What about you, Hannah? Are you happy with where you are?”
I sink into the softness of the booth seat. “I mean, mostly? Yes?”
“Why the uncertainty?”
“Running the business is a whole lot of work. I barely have time to get out too often. And that runs into another dream of mine.”
He nods. “Your work-life balance is too heavy on the work.”
“Really hard to get out and date when you gotta be up at five in the morning, then stay at work til nine, an hour past closing, to make sure you’re prepared for the next day.”
“Do you do it all yourself? No employees?”
“I have a few but you can only delegate so much. And one of them is about to take off on maternity leave, which is more work for me, on top of making me so, so jealous.”
“Jealous of maternity leave?”
“Hey, it’s time off. Plus, you know, the whole starting a family thing. That’s pretty big.”
It felt weird to confess my familial desires to someone who I had only met a few hours ago.
